Palazzolo Acreide and Pantalica day trip from Siracusa or Noto
A day trip to Palazzolo Acreide and Pantalica from Siracusa or Noto: the Baroque basilica of San Paolo, the Greek theatre of Akrai above the town and the rock-cut Santoni, the Antonino Uccello house museum, then San Sebastiano and Piazza del Popolo, pastries at the Antica Dolceria Corsino, and the Anaktoron, the prince's palace, and the rock-cut tombs of the Necropolis of Pantalica on the plateau above the Anapo gorge. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Palazzolo Acreide and Pantalica in 1 day
Day 1
Basilica of San Paolo, Palazzolo Acreide
Baroque basilica with a tall, richly carved façade, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, home to the town's feast of Saint Paul.
Akrai Archaeological Park (Greek Theatre)
The site of Akrai, an early colony of Syracuse, with a small Greek theatre, quarries and rock-cut shrines above the town.
The Santoni of Akrai
Ancient reliefs of the goddess Cybele carved into the rock just outside Akrai, usually seen on a short visit with the site staff.
Casa Museo Antonino Uccello
House museum gathered by the folklorist Antonino Uccello, with the tools, furniture and crafts of country life in the Iblei hills.
Basilica of San Sebastiano, Palazzolo Acreide
Baroque basilica on Piazza del Popolo with a grand stepped façade, the church of the town's patron saint.
Historic centre of Palazzolo Acreide (Piazza del Popolo)
Hill town of the Iblei with Baroque churches and palazzi rebuilt after 1693, its life centred on Piazza del Popolo.
Antica Dolceria Corsino
Historic pastry shop and café in the town centre, for Sicilian pastries, almond sweets and granita in the warm months.
Anaktoron of Pantalica
Foundations of a megalithic Bronze Age building on the plateau, thought to be a ruler's palace, with views over the gorge.
Necropolis of Pantalica
Thousands of rock-cut tombs in the cliffs of the Anapo and Calcinara gorges, from the Bronze and Iron Ages, a UNESCO site with Siracusa.
Getting there
By car Palazzolo Acreide is about 45 minutes from Siracusa on the SS124 inland, and about 40 minutes from Noto over the Iblei hills. There are buses from Siracusa, but Pantalica, about 40 minutes further north by Ferla, can only be reached by car.
Staying in Siracusa or Noto? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Palazzolo Acreide and Pantalica
Spring, from March to May, is the best time, with green hills, wild flowers and mild weather for Pantalica's paths; autumn is good too. Summer is hot inland, so walk Pantalica early. Palazzolo's big feasts are in summer: Saint Paul at the end of June and Saint Sebastian in August.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Palazzolo Acreide and Pantalica on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Palazzolo Acreide and Pantalica on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Palazzolo Acreide and Pantalica on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
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Tips for Palazzolo Acreide and Pantalica
- A car is needed for Pantalica: from Palazzolo drive north to Ferla and on along the plateau road past the tombs to near the Anaktoron.
- Pantalica has two entrances, from Ferla and from Sortino, with no road between them across the gorge; choose one side for the day.
- The paths at Pantalica are rocky, with steps and little shade and no services: wear good shoes and take water and a picnic.
- Akrai and the Uccello house museum are closed on Sundays, and the churches close at midday; check the hours before you go.
- Palazzolo is one of the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; look up at the carved balconies as you walk.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Akrai Archaeological Park (Greek Theatre): Clemensfranz, CC BY 2.5
- Anaktoron of Pantalica: Mboesch, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Basilica of San Sebastiano, Palazzolo Acreide: Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Casa Museo Antonino Uccello: Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Palazzolo Acreide (Piazza del Popolo): AlexanderVanLoon, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Necropolis of Pantalica: Clemensfranz, CC BY 2.5
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
